World Expo Osaka 2025World Expo Osaka 2025

Shady Linen is a project that repurposes textile waste by turning it into artworks. Together with artists, students, and the public, a sustainable art installation with performances and fashion designs was constructed, displaying the works. Through arts, the flaws of the textile industry are uncovered, using excess textile from the hospitality sector, upcycling sheets into fashion designs and paint canvases.

Participating artists are: Anita Waltman, Elky Rosa Gerritsen, Herman van den Muijsenberg, Hana-Sophia Vesta, Inez Ishizaki, Marta Fernández, Renee Rienties, Sophie Janssen and Tetisca Huijbrechts. Participating high schools are KUAS (JP), SSGN (NL), Kawaguchi (JP) and Citadel (NL).

This event took place 1 May 2025.

The magazine depicts the long-standing relationship between Japan and the Netherlands. It reflects on the past, present, and the future, within the context of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Japan. It does not simply document participation, it also serves as a guide to the conceptual context of the Netherlands Pavilion and the cultural programme.

Inspired by the Dutch magazine Avenue (1965-2003), the cultural programme was curated through a similar non-hierarchical, experimental lens. For Activating Common Ground, Mariko Okazaki and Marius Schwarz designed the magazine guided by the idiosyncratic character of Avenue. English and Japanese are integrated equally by allowing the reader to rotate the magazine 180 degrees with one language at the page's top and the other at the bottom. Images are positioned at a 90 degree angle, ensuring an equal reading experience for all. Common ground was sought in typographic decisions, simultaneously respecting and highlighting linguistic practices of both cultures. On top of the magazine, Marius Schwarz and Mariko Okazaki showcase a selection of their own relevant book designs.

This event took place 24 May 2025.

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1918 and based in the vibrant port city of Rotterdam, is one of Europe’s leading symphony orchestras. Known for its passionate performances, innovative programming, and distinctive sound, the orchestra tours internationally and performs regularly in Europe’s top concert halls. It has a strong tradition of cultural exchange and is proud to share its musical heritage with audiences around the world. This special Expo performance is a prelude to the orchestra’s concert tour through Japan from 21 to 29 June, with symphonic concerts in major venues including Symphony Hall Osaka and Suntory Hall Tokyo.

This event took place 20 June 2025.

The Common Grounds Music Festival brought together Dutch and Japanese talent for a night of electronic music at the Expo site in Osaka. On 30 August 2025, DJs Merow, Mesto, Yuuki Yoshiyama and Yamatomaya performed DJ sets that presented a mix of house, techno and contemporary club sounds. The festival was hosted by the Consulate-General of the Netherlands in Osaka and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Netherlands' premier jazz saxophonist Benjamin Herman is known for his remarkably diverse repertoire and his captivating live shows. For the Expo performance, the Benjamin Herman Trio including Thomas Pol on double bass and Jimmi Hueting on drums, will be joined by Japanese tenor saxophone giant Tomoaki Baba. The show marks the world premiere of "The Tokyo Sessions"; the trio's exciting new production recorded at Studio Dede (Tokyo) by Akihito Yoshikawa and featuring Otomo Yoshihide, Tomoaki Baba and Ko Ishiwaka amongst others.

Bnnyhunna is an award winning Dutch/Ghanaian emerging artist who grew up in Amsterdam (NL). His fusion of jazz, hip hop, R&B, and afro, influenced by his West-African background and coupled with a commitment to authenticity, has captured attention, establishing him as a rising star. His solo-set at the Expo will include repertoire from his highly acclaimed 2024 debut "ECHOES OF PRAYER" as well as new music from his upcoming album.

This event takes place on 18 September 2025 at Pop-Up Stage West.